Utah Bans 7 More Books From All Public Schools; 44 Titles Now Banned Statewide

Utah passed one of the strictest bills related to books in public schools in 2024. House Bill 29 (HB 29) allows parents to challenge books they deem “sensitive material,” and it also outright bans books from all public schools in the state if those books have been deemed “objective sensitive material” or “pornographic” per state code in at least three public school districts or two public school districts and five charter schools statewide. The bill took effect on July 1, 2024, and it started with 13 titles. Literary Activism News you can use plus tips and tools for the fight against censorship and other bookish activism! The bill is retroactive, meaning titles that met the state’s guidelines before the bill’s start date were included on the list. Per HB 29, any time a public or charter school removes a book deemed “sensitive material,” they must notify the State Board of Education. If that book meets the removal threshold, all schools will be notified and expected to dispose of it. Of the 44 books now prohibited in Utah public schools, 33 are written by women. The full list of banned titles is as follows: Blankets by Craig Thompson (2003) A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J....